Planning a wedding with a $10,000 budget can feel like solving a puzzle, but it can be doable if you’re smart about what you prioritize. Whether you’re hosting a cozy gathering for your closest loved ones or inviting a big crowd, a little creativity and thoughtful planning can make your budget stretch further than you think.
We’ve put together a detailed guide to show you how to allocate your budget across different wedding sizes. From intimate micro weddings to extra-large celebrations, here’s a practical breakdown to help you plan a beautiful day that doesn’t break the bank.
Find out how far a $10,000 budget can stretch by using Tulle Together’s budget breakdown tool! You can put in your budget and see how it distributes across the most common wedding categories so you know how much you have to work with. After you play around with your budget, you can use Tulle Together to plan your wedding from start to finish, keeping track of all the details along the way. Sign up here to try it out!
Micro Wedding (Up to 25 Guests)
A micro wedding is perfect for couples who want an ultra-intimate celebration with just their nearest and dearest.
Venue and Catering: $4,000 ($160 per guest)
Consider hosting your wedding at a boutique restaurant or a small garden venue with catering included to create an intimate atmosphere.
Photography and Videography: $1,500
Focus on hiring a professional photographer for a few hours to capture the most meaningful moments.
Attire: $1,000
Splurge a little on your outfit or look for sample sales to find something stunning at a fraction of the cost.
Hair and Beauty: $500
Treat yourself to professional hair and makeup for a polished look that will shine in photos.
Decor and Flowers: $1,000
Invest in statement decor pieces like a ceremony arch and lush centerpieces to create a beautiful ambiance.
Entertainment: $1,000
Hire a solo musician or DJ to set the perfect mood for your celebration.
Invitations and Miscellaneous: $1000
Use digital invitations or artisan-designed paper invites and save some funds for any last-minute needs.
Small Wedding (26-50 Guests)
A small wedding offers more room to include additional loved ones while keeping the atmosphere intimate and personal.
Venue and Catering: $4,500 ($90-$170 per guest)
Look for charming venues with inclusive catering packages or consider hosting at off-peak times to stretch your budget.
Photography and Videography: $1,500
Limit coverage hours to save costs while ensuring the most important moments are captured.
Attire: $1,000
Explore rental options, off-the-rack styles, or gently used wedding outfits to save money.
Hair and Beauty: $500
Opt for professional hair and makeup to ensure you look your best.
Decor and Flowers: $800
Focus on DIY decor projects and choose seasonal flowers to keep the ambiance beautiful yet affordable.
Entertainment: $700
A DJ or carefully curated playlist with a good sound system can keep the party lively without overspending.
Invitations and Miscellaneous: $1000
$1000 Use digital invitations or DIY printed ones, and reserve some funds for unexpected expenses.
Medium Wedding (51-75 Guests)
A medium wedding strikes a balance between intimacy and inclusivity.
Venue and Catering: $5,000 ($67-$100 per guest)
Consider versatile venues that allow outside catering or book during non-peak times to save on costs.
Photography and Videography: $1,500
Hire a professional for a shorter duration or an up-and-coming photographer to stay on budget.
Attire: $1,000
Look for secondhand gowns or shop end-of-season sales for affordable attire options.
Hair and Beauty: $300
Invest in professional hair or makeup to look your best, but you may need to opt for less experienced artists to stay within budget.
Decor and Flowers: $800
Reuse ceremony decorations at the reception and mix fresh flowers with greenery for cost-effective beauty.
Entertainment: $700
A DJ or carefully curated playlist with a good sound system can keep the party lively without overspending.
Invitations and Miscellaneous: $700
Choose digital invitations or DIY invitations and allocate funds for emergency or priority costs.
Large Wedding (100-150 Guests)
For a larger wedding, strategic choices and compromises are key to staying on budget.
Venue and Catering: $5,000 ($50-$67 per guest)
Opt for community halls, outdoor venues, or affordable banquet spaces, and choose buffet-style catering to reduce costs.
Photography and Videography: $1,200
Limit photography coverage to key moments or hire an up-and-coming photographer.
Attire: $800
Look for discounted gowns or suits, or consider renting attire to save money.
Hair and Beauty: $300
Invest in professional hair or makeup to look your best, but you may need to opt for less experienced artists to stay within budget.
Decor and Flowers: $1000
Reuse ceremony decor at the reception and focus on simple, elegant arrangements.
Entertainment: $1000
Create a curated playlist and rent a quality sound system for an affordable yet lively celebration, or hire an up and coming DJ.
Planner/Coordinator: $300
Ask a trusted friend or family member to help with day-of coordination duties.
Invitations and Miscellaneous: $1000
DIY your invitations and reserve some extra money for emergencies
Extra-Large Wedding (150+ Guests)
For an extra-large celebration, staying within a $10,000 budget requires lots of creativity.
Venue and Catering: $6,000 ($40 per guest or less)
Consider unconventional venues like parks or backyards, and simplify catering with food trucks or potluck-style meals.
Photography and Videography: $1,000
Prioritize capturing key moments by hiring a photographer for only a few hours.
Attire: $500
Rent your outfit or borrow from a loved one to save significantly.
Hair and Beauty: $200
Limit professional services and consider DIYing your hair or makeup.
Decor and Flowers: $500
Buy flowers in bulk and create your own arrangements.
Entertainment: $300
Use a curated playlist and rent basic sound equipment.
Planner/Coordinator: $1200
For such a big crowd and multiple DIY elements, consider hiring a coordinator to keep everything running smoothly.
Invitations and Miscellaneous: $300
Opt for digital invitations and considering cutting from other categories to create an emergency buffer.
Micro and small weddings allow you to invest more per guest, making the experience more luxurious. Medium to extra-large weddings require strategic compromises but can still be magical. Large and extra large weddings will need to deviate from the typical wedding framework to be affordable.
No matter the size of your guest list though, with creativity and thoughtful planning, your $10,000 wedding will still be magical. Happy planning!
Find out how far a $10,000 budget can stretch by using Tulle Together’s budget breakdown tool! You can put in your budget and see how it distributes across the most common wedding categories so you know how much you have to work with. After you play around with your budget, you can use Tulle Together to plan your wedding from start to finish, keeping track of all the details along the way. Sign up here to try it out!
